JP2002532310A - Improvement of overcoat layer of inkjet base material - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A support, comprising an ink receiving layer and an upper layer, wherein the upper layer comprises a polymer having both a hydrophilic component and a lipophilic component, or a mixture of two or more such polymers; An image recording element for ink jet imaging wherein the polymer mixture is in the upper layer in an amount of 0.003 to 0.5 g / m ² and the upper layer is cured with a functional polymer of oxazoline. The upper layer is preferably composed of polymers having hydrophilic and lipophilic substituents, such as polymers and copolymers of acrylic, methacrylic, acrylate or methacrylate, or salts of those polymers or copolymers. Including the selected polymer. The base layer containing gelatin preferably has a thickness of 3 to 20 μm. The support may be a conventional support, for example a paper sheet. The present invention provides improved drying times for inkjet images, even at elevated temperatures.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] FIELD THE INVENTION The present invention relates, inkjet ink imaging, and more particularly, ink jet ink image recording elements and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0002] In the prior art typical inkjet recording or printing system, ink droplets are propelled toward a recording element or substrate from a nozzle at high speed, creating an image on a substrate. Ink drops, or recording liquids, generally contain a recording agent, such as a dye or pigment, and a large amount of a carrier liquid, especially a solvent. The solvent, or carrier liquid, is typically an organic material such as water, a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol, or a mixture of water and one or more water-miscible solvents such as a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol. Made from solvents.

[0003] Recording elements typically include a support, ie, a support material having an ink-receiving or image-forming layer on at least one surface. This element includes those usually intended for reflection viewing with an opaque support and those usually intended for transmitted light viewing with a transparent support.

[0004] While a wide variety of different types of image recording elements have been proposed for use in ink-jet inking devices, there are many unresolved problems in the art, and their very limitations. Known products with demonstrated commercial utility have many deficiencies. The requirements for image recording media or inkjet recording elements are:
Very strict.

In order to achieve and maintain photographic quality for such image recording elements,
That the recording elements should be easily wetted, so that there is no pooling of non-uniform densities, i.e., coalescence of adjacent ink dots; no bleeding of the image is revealed; When stacked against the surface of a surface, high capacity ink absorption capacity and rapid drying capacity are shown to avoid adhesion of elements, and high level ink is used to avoid uneven gloss expansion. Should impart gloss and be sufficiently insoluble in typical ink solvents; discontinuities and defects due to substrate and / or interlayer interactions, such as cracks, water repellency, scratches, etc. No absorption at the free interface causing crystallization of the dye resulting in a blooming or bronzing effect in the image area Preventing agglomeration, contact with-water, or daylight, in order to avoid discoloration due to contact with the radiation by tungsten light or fluorescent durability of the image can be optimized, it is well known.

Image recording elements for ink-jet ink images (also referred to as ink-jet substrates or ink-jet receivers) conventionally comprise an overlying or “overcoat” layer on top of the ink-receiving or image-forming layer. Having an image forming layer,
In this specification, it is also called a base layer. Overcoat layers have been used, particularly when the base layer has gelatin or a polymer. The overcoat layer may have various functions, such as providing physical protection to the underlying layer, reducing adhesion, providing a glossy appearance, providing an ink receptive surface, transporting certain components. Or to make manufacturing easier. The overcoat is typically thinner than the underlying substrate typically used for ink jet receivers, and such overcoat layers are typically about 1 micron (μm) thick.

[0007] As mentioned above, the ink jet substrate, or receptor, must dry quickly after application of the ink. Omitting the top layer, the overcoat layer, sometimes reduces the density of the printed image (which is the density of the ink transferred to a sheet of plain paper sandwiched between the printed image immediately after the ink exits the ink jet printer). It has been found that it is possible to reduce the time taken for drying). However, this is not a satisfactory drying time improvement. This is because it involves a loss of the advantageous properties mentioned above for which the overcoat is applied.

[0008] The present invention, in one of its aspects, an image recording element for ink images, particularly the support, the ink receiving layer and comprises an upper layer in this order, the upper layer is a hydrophilic component and a hydrophobic component Or a mixture of two or more such polymers,
It said polymer or polymer mixture is present in an amount of 0.003~0.5g / m ² in the upper layer, yet to provide an ink jet image layer is cured with an oxazoline functional polymer.

[0009] In another aspect, the present invention also provides a method of making an image recording element for an ink image, particularly the method comprising the steps of forming a precursor element comprising a support and an ink receiving layer and separating from the support. Forming a top layer by applying a polymer having both a hydrophilic component and a hydrophobic component, or a mixture of two or more such polymers to the surface of the precursor element, wherein the polymer or polymer mixture is 0.00
Provided is a method for producing an inkjet ink image, which is applied at a rate of ^{3 to} 0.5 g / m ² and in combination with an oxazoline functional polymer.

[0010] The ink receiving layer is also referred to herein for convenience as a "base layer". However, for example, the presence of one or more additional layers on the surface of the support remote from the base layer and the upper layer, or between the support and the base layer, or between the base layer and the upper layer, This is not excluded.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS In the present invention, the recording element may be opaque, translucent or transparent. Therefore,
The support used for the recording element of the present invention is not particularly limited, and various supports are used. Thus, plain paper, resin coated paper, various plastics such as poly (ethylene terephthalate), poly (ethylene naphthalate) and polyester type resins such as polyester diacetate, polycarbonate type resins, fluorine such as ETFE Types of resins, metal foils, various glass materials, etc. may be used as the support. When the support of the present invention is transparent, a transparent recording element is obtained, which is used as transparency in an overhead projector.

The support used in the present invention is preferably self-supporting. “Self-supporting”
By means a support material such as a film sheet that can exist independently without a supporting support. In one preferred embodiment, the support will be a sheet or sheet-like structure. The thickness of the support will usually be between 12 and 500 μm, typically between 75 and 300 μm.

If desired, the surface of the support may be subjected to a corona discharge treatment before the solvent absorbing layer or substrate is applied to the support to improve the adhesion of the base layer to the support, Alternatively, a subbing layer, such as one formed from a halogenated phenol or a partially hydrolyzed vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer, may be applied to the surface of the support.

In particular, when the support is a thin film sheet or a sheet-like structure, the surface of the support is separated from the base layer and the upper layer (overcoat) in consideration of reducing or eliminating some tendency of curling. Then, it is convenient to apply a certain layer, for example, a gel layer. The base layer is intended primarily as a sponge layer for absorption of the ink solvent.
As such, it generally consists primarily of hydrophilic or porous materials. Thus, typically, the base layer may comprise a hydrophilic polymer or a combination of polymers, with or without additives, as is well known in the art. It is usually 3
It has a thickness of ２０20 μm. The application of one or more additional ink-receiving layers may be different in configuration to the base layer, but must not be ruled out.

Hydrophilic materials contemplated as or for use as a base layer include gelatin, acetylated gelatin, phthalated gelatin, oxidized gelatin, chitosan, poly (alkylene oxide), poly (vinyl alcohol), modified poly (vinyl alcohol), and the like. (Vinyl alcohol), sulfonated polyester, partially hydrolyzed poly (vinyl acetate / vinyl alcohol), poly (acrylic acid), poly (1-vinylpyrrolidone), poly (
Sodium styrenesulfonate), poly (2-acrylamide-2-methanesulfonic acid), and polyacrylamide, and mixtures of these materials. Copolymers of these polymers with hydrophobic monomers may also be used. Other materials useful for the base layer include, for example, cellulose derivatives, gum derivatives, chitin and starch.

The porous structure is introduced into the substrate by adding ceramic or hard polymer particles, by bubbling or blowing during application, or by inducing phase separation in the layer by introducing a non-solvent. May be. Generally, it is sufficient that the base layer be hydrophilic and not porous. This is especially true for obtaining photographic quality prints, since porous materials result in loss of gloss, optionally including one or more materials such as polyesters, poly (methacrylates) and polyvinylbenzene-containing copolymers. Introducing two phases,
You may make it give rigidity to a base layer.

The base layer may be adjusted for pH to optimize swellability (water capacity), increase gloss, or minimize dye migration. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the pH of the layer is lowered to 3.5 to improve swelling capacity, thereby shortening the drying time of the ink and providing water resistance. In another embodiment, the pH of the image recording layer is increased to 8.5 to increase gloss and reduce bronzing due to surface dye crystallization.

In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, 50-100% by weight of the base layer is photographic grade modified so that the pH is away from the isoelectric point of such gelatin to maximize water absorption. Made of gelatin. The remainder of the layer, if any, may be comprised of a polymer or inorganic material that is miscible with the gelatin and will not adversely affect functionality.

A small amount of a mordant (2 to 10% by weight of the base layer) may be added to further improve the water resistance. Useful mordants are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,474,843, the teachings of which are incorporated herein.

As mentioned above, the upper layer consists essentially of one or more polymers having, for example, both a hydrophobic compounding component or component and a hydrophilic compounding component or component. In some embodiments, the polymer backbone itself, or a portion thereof, may constitute one such component, especially the hydrophobic component. However, preferred polymers have the following functionality:
That is, it has both a hydrophilic substituent and a hydrophobic substituent. Generally, such substituents are pendant from, or otherwise included in, the polymer backbone. Since various polymers provide different degrees of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity to the overcoat layer, those skilled in the art can therefore select a particular polymer to meet specific needs.

Suitable polymers include those having carboxylic acid groups and / or esters and / or salts thereof. In one preferred embodiment, the top or overcoat layer comprises at least one acrylic polymer, especially (i) a polymer of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylate or methacrylate,
(Ii) a copolymer comprising units derived from at least one acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylate and methacrylate, and (iii)
) At least one polymer selected from the group consisting of the salts of the polymer (i) and the copolymer (ii). Preferred acrylic and methacrylic esters are alkyl esters, especially C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl esters, more preferably methyl or ethyl esters. Preferred salts include the alkali metal salts, for example, sodium or potassium salts.

[0022] The copolymer may consist essentially of units derived from two or more acrylic, methacrylic, acrylate and methacrylate esters. However, other suitable copolymers include units derived from at least one of the above acids and esters, and one or more other monomeric species, such as ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, or (meth) ) Units derived from acrylamide are included. Various types of copolymers may be considered, including block copolymers and graft copolymers. Crosslinking of polymers and copolymers may also be considered.

The following polymers are for example conceivable: Poly (methyl methacrylate), poly (methyl methacrylate-co-methacrylic acid), poly (methyl methacrylate-co-poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate) copolymer, poly (acrylic acid-co-maleic acid), sodium salt, poly (acrylic) Acid), sodium salt, slightly crosslinked, poly (acrylic acid-co-acrylamide), potassium salt, poly (acrylic acid), sodium salt-graft-poly (ethylene oxide) crosslinked, and poly (acrylic acid), average MW 450,000 .

By way of illustration, in a poly (methyl methacrylate-co-poly (ethylene glycol) methacrylate) copolymer, the methyl methacrylate groups are more hydrophilic than the etherified groups, so that the latter constitutes the hydrophilic component. In poly (acrylic acid-co-maleic acid), the acrylic moiety is more hydrophobic, and thus the maleic moiety constitutes the hydrophilic component. In poly (methyl methacrylate), the polymer backbone is considered a hydrophobic component, and thus methacrylester groups are considered a hydrophilic component.

To form the top layer according to the present invention, the constituent polymers or polymer mixtures are generally applied at a rate of 0.003 to 0.5 g / m ² . In one preferred embodiment, the polymer or polymer mixture has a coverage of from 0.004 to 0.5.
In the range of 2 g / m ^2, more preferably 0.005~0.1g / m ^2. Considering uniform application, a guideline of 1 g / m < ² > results in a thickness of 1 [mu] m.

According to the present invention, it has been found that application of a polymer at the above coverage to form a topcoat results in a discontinuous top layer. The upper layer typically covers 50-75% of the surface area as determined by atomic force microscopy. The discontinuities are randomly distributed. Applicants do not wish to be bound by theory, but such amphiphilic "overcoat" polymers are affected (or "triggered") by the conditions under which they are applied and the nature of the underlying substrate, or "Suppressed"), so the putative morphology of the "overcoat" polymer is that of the ink-jet element, i.e., the substrate, because the hydrophilic groups tend to be pulled toward the underlying (substrate or substrate) layer. Is believed to be governed by the hydrophobic substituents at the top surface of the. However, even if a hydrophobic domain is generated on the surface,
It is believed that the discontinuity in the top layer caused the ink-jet ink to migrate quickly toward the hydrophilic domains, thereby improving drying time.

The image-recording element may come into contact with other image-recording articles and the drive and transport mechanisms of the image-recording device for which its use is contemplated, such as surfactants, lubricants, matting particles and the like. Additives may optionally be added to the elements to the extent that they do not unduly compromise their important properties. According to the invention, the upper layer is selectively cured by the oxazoline functional polymer. Preferred such polymers (including co-polymers in this context) are water-soluble or water-dispersible polymers containing a polymer backbone and pendant oxazoline groups, for example groups of the formula

[0028]

Embedded image

The oxazoline functional polymer is generally incorporated into the topcoat (overcoat) material (coating composition) before the topcoat is applied on the base layer. Typically, the oxazoline functional polymer is applied at a rate of 0.05~0.25g / m ^2. Suitable oxazoline functional polymers are available in the art, especially as aqueous solutions and aqueous emulsions, and one such polymer is Epocros K-2020E (Esprit Che, Florida, USA).
(available from Mical Co., Ltd.).

The layers described above, including the base layer and the top layer, may be coated by conventional coating means onto a support material, such as a transparent or opaque support material commonly used in the art. Coating methods may include, but are not limited to, coiled wire load coating, slot coating, slide hopper coating, gravure, curtain coating, and the like. In some of these methods, simultaneous application of both layers is conceivable, which is preferred from a manufacturing economic point of view.

The inks used to image the recording elements according to the present invention are well-known inks. The ink composition used for inkjet printing is typically a liquid composition comprising a solvent or carrier fluid, a dye or pigment, a humectant, an organic solvent, a detergent, a thickener, a preservative, and the like. The solvent or carrier fluid may consist solely of water, and inks in which organic substances such as polyhydric alcohols are the main carrier or solvent liquid may be used, but mainly It may be water mixed with one or more other water-soluble solvents such as polyhydric alcohols. A mixed solvent of water and a polyhydric alcohol is particularly useful. The dyes used in such compositions are typically water-soluble direct dyes or acid dyes. Such liquid compositions have been intensively described in the prior art, including, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,381,946; 4,239,543 and 4,781,758. However, each of these teachings is also incorporated herein by reference.

Although the recording elements disclosed herein have been primarily described as being useful for ink jet printers, they can also be used as recording media for pen plotter devices. Pen plotters operate by writing directly on the surface of a recording medium using a pen consisting of a bundle of capillaries in contact with an ink reservoir.

The image recording elements according to the present invention exhibit excellent drying times compared to conventional elements that include a thicker top layer with a cellulose compound. In fact, in some embodiments of the present invention, improved drying times, especially at high humidity, can be obtained by simply omitting the top, or "overcoat" layer, or without selective curing with oxazoline functional polymers. , And can be beyond those obtained with very thin overcoat layers. The recording elements according to the invention show excellent drying times even under conditions of high humidity. Moreover, improved drying times are obtained while retaining the usual desirable properties provided by using the top, or "overcoat", layer. For example, according to the present invention, an image recording element that not only dries quickly but also exhibits high gloss and shows no adhesion or offset under the requirements for photographic quality printing (high ink coverage). It may be possible to get The imaged element exhibits adequate water and light fastness for typical print dyes. Furthermore, this element is easy to manufacture at low cost.

The present invention is illustrated in and by the following examples. Example 1 A sample of an image recording element for an inkjet image was prepared. Each sample contained a resin-coated paper support, and a gel layer for suppressing curling was applied to the back of the support. On the front surface of the support, an ink receiving layer of gelatin was applied at a gel adhesion amount of 7.63 g / m ² . The ink receiving layer had a 848 mg / m ² cationic latex polymer (quaternized with N, N′-dimethylmethanamine, acting as a mordant).
(M- and p-chloromethyl) ethenylbenzene and polymer of 2-methyl-2-propenoic acid 1,2-ethanediyl ester) and 129.16 mg / m ² of polymer matting agent (limited agglomerated polystyrene beads, 20 μm) ) Was included. The top layer of the ultrathin film, the overcoat, was applied to the gelatin ink-receiving layer.

To form Sample A, the overcoat consisted of poly (acrylic acid-co-maleic acid), sodium salt, which was applied at a rate of 0.006 g / m ² . This resulted in a layer having a thickness in the range of 0.005 to 0.1 μm. To form the sample B, the overcoat is poly (acrylic acid -co- maleic acid), it consists of sodium salt, which was coated at a rate of 0.006 g / m ^2. Thereafter, an oxazoline functional polymer (Epocros K-2020E) was applied at a rate of 0.12 g / m ² .

Using an HP PhotoSmart printer, set the following: HP Photo
oSmart glossy photographic paper, best print quality, and PhotoSmar
The sample was imaged at the highest color. The time required for each printed image to dry was evaluated by the density of the ink transferred to a piece of plain paper that had been inserted into the printed image immediately after the sample left the ink jet printer. In each case, a series of evaluations was performed to determine the density of the ink transferred to plain paper after a certain writing time. Generally, the lower the ink concentration on plain paper, the faster the sample dries. Each evaluation was performed at a relative humidity of 80%, but such conditions provided for the required test for rapid drying capacity.

Table 1 below shows the results of the ink densities transferred to plain paper after various time intervals after the imaged photographic paper exited the printer. The results are shown for Samples A and B compared to the control, where the image recording element was Kod
ak's (brand name) Inkjet Photographic Quality
It was Paper Photo Weight.

The results in Table 1 show that the drying time due to the presence of a very thin poly (acrylic acid-co-maleic acid) overcoat, as seen by the reduced concentration of ink transferred to plain paper Indicates an improvement. However, when the overcoat was selectively cured with the oxazoline functional polymer, Epocros K-2020E, most of the resulting ink did not migrate to plain paper, indicating a further improvement.

Another test was performed in which swelling, expressed in microns (μm), was measured at various time intervals measured in seconds. A series of measurements were performed using an overcoat applied as in Sample A above, including poly (acrylic acid-co-maleic acid), sodium salt, and another series of measurements was made with an overcoat of poly (Acrylic acid-co-maleic acid), sodium salt and Epocr
This was performed on the overcoat made with Sample B above containing os K-2020E. The results are shown graphically in FIG. 1 and demonstrate the effect of the oxazoline functional polymer on swelling. The graph shows that the coating containing the oxazoline functional polymer has a delay before swelling and then the swelling rate decreases. This is because the layer with the oxazoline functional polymer (very thin polymer overcoat) cures selectively (this
(In contrast to the curing of both the top layer and the gelatin ink receptive base layer).

Another test was performed by measuring the total Status A reflection density over a drying time on a sample of an inkjet image recording element made in the same manner as Sample B. The tests were performed at 80% RH using those made from an HP PhotoSmart printer. For comparison, a similar test was performed on a conventional image recording element for ink jet images, the conventional element having an upper layer containing a cellulose compound applied at a rate of 1 g / m ^2. Was. The results are shown in FIG.

The degree of adhesion of the polymer overcoat according to the present invention was determined by an atomic force microscope (A
FM). In AFM, modal imaging draws aspects of cantilever vibration during tapping mode scans to detect variables in composition, adhesion, friction and viscoelasticity. It is possible to evaluate the magnitude of the amount of adhesion in the aspect based on the measured values of the support contact calculated from the aspect image.

AFM measurements were made in the same way as for sample A above, except that poly (acrylic acid-
(co-maleic acid). Also, the oxazoline functional polymer was omitted for ease of investigation. In each case, three images were formed, from which the geometric mean support area coverage was calculated. The results are shown in Table 2 below.

The conclusions drawn from the results in Table 2 are that the overcoat containing poly (acrylic acid-co-maleic acid) is discontinuous, and the extent of its coverage is about 50% to about 75%.
Within the range.

[0044]

[Table 1]

[0045]

[Table 2]

The present invention has been described merely by way of example, and its detailed modifications also
It will be understood that this is within the technical scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an experiment in which each variable over the swelling time of an overcoat layer of an ultra-thin polymer was determined for an image recording element according to the present invention and an image recording element in which the overcoat layer for comparative purposes was not cured with an oxazoline polymer. It is a graph which shows a result.

FIG. 2 shows the experimental results of the total status A reflection density measured during a series of drying times for an image recording element according to the invention and a conventional image recording element.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) C08F 222/02 C08G 81/02 C08G 81/02 B41J 3/04 101Y (72) Inventor Romano, Charles E. , Jr. United States, New York, 14616, Rochester, Maiden Lane 295 F-term (reference) 2C056 EA04 FC06 2H086 BA01 BA13 BA35 BA36 BA37 4J031 AA19 AA20 AA53 AB01 AD01 AE19 AF28 CD24 4J100 AJ02P AJ02Q AJ09Q AK08P08Q04 HA53 HC64 JA00 JA01 JA43

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. A method comprising: a support, an ink receiving layer and an upper layer, in that order, wherein the upper layer comprises a polymer having both a hydrophilic component and a hydrophobic component, or a mixture of two or more such polymers. Or an image recording for an ink image layer, characterized in that the polymer mixture is present in the upper layer in an amount of 0.003 to 0.5 g / m ² and that the upper layer is cured with an oxazoline functional polymer. element. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer or polymer mixture in the upper layer is 0.004 to 0.004.
The element of claim 1, wherein the element is present in an amount of 0.2 g / m ² . 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the polymer or polymer mixture in the upper layer is 0.005 to 0.005.
Is present in an amount of 0.1 g / m ^2, element of claim 2. 4. The element of claim 1, wherein the upper layer comprises a polymer having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substituents. 5. The upper layer is derived from (i) a polymer of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylate or methacrylate, and (ii) at least one of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylate and methacrylate. And copolymer (i) and copolymer (ii)
1) comprising at least one polymer selected from the group consisting of the respective salts of
5. The element according to any one of the above items 4. 6. The element of claim 5, wherein said ester is a C ₁ -C ₆ alkyl ester. 7. The element of claim 6, wherein said ester is a methyl ester or an ethyl ester. 8. The element according to claim 5, wherein the salt is an alkali metal salt. 9. The element according to claim 8, wherein said salt is a sodium and / or potassium salt. 10. The element of claim 5, wherein the copolymer further comprises at least one monomer unit that is not acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylate or methacrylate. 11. The element of claim 10, wherein said monomer is ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, maleic acid or acrylamide. 12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the base layer is gelatin, acetylated gelatin, phthalated gelatin, oxidized gelatin, chitosan, poly (alkylene oxide), poly (vinyl alcohol), modified poly (vinyl alcohol), sulfonated polyester, or partially hydrolyzed. Poly (vinyl acetate / vinyl alcohol), poly (acrylic acid), poly (1
-Vinylpyrrolidone), poly (sodium styrene sulfonate), poly (2-
Acrylamide-2-methanesulfonic acid), and polyacrylamide and a mixture of these substances, selected from the group consisting of:
Elements described in section. 13. The element of claim 12, wherein said base layer comprises gelatin. 14. The substrate according to claim 1, wherein said base layer has a thickness of 3 to 20 μm.
An element according to any one of the preceding claims. 15. A matting particle in at least one of the base layer and the upper layer,
An element according to any one of the preceding claims. 16. The amount of the oxazoline functional polymer is 0.05 to 0.25 g.
It is the amount of / m ^2, element according to any one of claims 1 to 15. 17. The element according to claim 1, wherein the top layer is discontinuous and covers 50-75% of the surface area as measured by an atomic force microscope. 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the discontinuities in the upper layer are randomly distributed.
Elements described in. 19. The element according to claim 1, which is suitable for ink-jet ink images. 20. A step of forming a precursor element including a support and an ink receiving layer, and a polymer or a mixture of two or more of a hydrophilic component and a hydrophobic component on a surface of the precursor element remote from the support. Forming an upper layer by applying a mixture of such polymers, wherein said polymer or polymer mixture is applied at a rate of 0.003 to 0.5 g / m ² and in combination with an oxazoline functional polymer. A method for producing an image recording element for an ink image. 21. A method according to claim 20, which is directed to making an image recording element according to any one of claims 2 to 19.